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Belarus Pardons 31 Ukrainians, Hands Them to Kyiv After U.S.-Linked Agreement

04:30 AM, 11/23/2025

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 Ukrainians jailed on criminal charges and handed them over to Kyiv, officials say. The releases were described as a "gesture of goodwill" tied to agreements involving U.S. President Donald Trump. The moves form part of Minsk's recent efforts to thaw relations with the West, but human rights groups note that more than 1,200 political prisoners remain behind bars. Observers say the pardons may be aimed at easing sanctions and rebalancing Belarus's relations with Moscow and the West.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued pardons for 31 Ukrainians who had been jailed in Belarus on criminal charges and transferred them to Kyiv, officials said. Belarusian state media, citing Lukashenko's spokesperson Natalia Eismont, described the releases as a "gesture of goodwill" linked to agreements reached between Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump at Ukraine's request.

Earlier this week, Lukashenko also pardoned two Catholic priests at the Vatican's request. Observers say these recent gestures are part of Minsk's broader effort to repair ties with Western countries after years of tension.

Context and diplomatic significance

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has allowed Russian forces to use its territory in support of operations in Ukraine and has hosted prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kyiv. In recent months Lukashenko has signaled a desire to rebalance relations between Moscow and the West, seeking relief from sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Weeks after a phone call with President Trump in August, Lukashenko pardoned 51 political prisoners under a deal brokered with U.S. involvement that resulted in some sanctions relief for the national airline Belavia. President Trump later announced that attorney John Cole — who helped negotiate that earlier agreement — would be named U.S. Special Envoy to Belarus to press for the release of additional detainees.

Human rights concerns remain

Human rights group Viasna reports there are 1,257 political prisoners currently jailed in Belarus, including Ales Bialiatski, the founder of Viasna and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his human rights work. Rights advocates warn that individual pardons do not resolve the broader crackdown on dissent in Belarus.

"Belarus is open to dialogue," Lukashenko's press service said in a statement. "Negotiations with various countries, chiefly the U.S., are now actively ongoing."

Valery Karbalevich, a Belarusian political scientist and commentator, said Minsk is attempting to return to a policy of balancing between Moscow and the West. "Lukashenko is seeking to reduce his total dependence on the Kremlin. Therefore, he is willing to trade political prisoners like commodities, hoping for an easing of Western sanctions," Karbalevich said.

Belarusian authorities say further talks with the United States are planned for December. Observers will be watching whether these and future releases signal a genuine policy shift or are limited, tactical steps aimed at securing sanctions relief and diplomatic space.

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Belarus Pardons 31 Ukrainians, Hands Them to Kyiv After U.S.-Linked Agreement - CRBC News